This easy cannoli pie is a no bake dessert that everyone loves! An incredible cannoli pie with ricotta and cream cheese, and a spiced cannoli pie crust. If you like this incredible cannoli pie, try some other no-bake treats: No Bake Oreo Cheesecake, Pumpkin Mousse Pie, and Peach Sorbet!
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Easy Cannoli Pie
A couple years back, I made an attempt to make cannoli, which are Sicilian pastries consisting of a deep-fried crispy dough filled with a lightly sweet creamy ricotta filling. I shared it with some friends and while their reactions were as generous as possible ("um... the filling is pretty good?"), I knew I had work to do. I'm still working on perfecting my cannoli, but in the meantime I'm so excited to share this no-bake cannoli pie with you! It's got the classic flavors and textures of cannoli, but SO much easier to master!
It can be a pie or a tart depending on what type of pan you use, but either way this cannoli pie dessert is incredibly easy to make, and packed with amazing flavor. It's got a buttery graham cracker crust with a hint of cocoa; a creamy ricotta-based filling with chopped dark chocolate, orange zest, and vanilla; and it's topped with roasted pistachios and powdered sugar. The flavors are amazing together, and it's SO easy to make! It's a no-bake recipe, so you'll just need to whip it up and let it set in the fridge. Simple as that!
What is Cannoli Filling Made of?
Traditionally, cannoli filling is made of sweetened ricotta cheese, that is often flavored with orange peel, chocolate, or cinnamon. For this cannoli pie recipe, we're channeling those flavors with ricotta cheese, chopped dark chocolate, and orange zest. We're also adding just a bit of cream cheese to help solidify the texture of the no-bake filling.
Does cannoli taste good?
Yes! Cannoli is one of my favorite treats whenever I visit an Italian bakery! The cool, creamy filling is so refreshing and delicious, and I love the hints of orange and spice. Typical cannoli shells are deep-fried pastry, but this twist, using a graham cracker crust, is such a great complement to the filling! If you haven't had cannoli before, you should! And this pie is a great introduction to those flavors.
Cannoli Cheesecake Pie Ingredients
For the cocoa graham cracker crust, you'll need:
- graham cracker crumbs - you can crush whole graham crackers in a food processor, in a plastic bag using a rolling pin, or you can do what I did and buy store-bought graham cracker crumbs!
- cinnamon - adds a bit of warmth to the crust and works so well with the graham cracker and cocoa flavors in your cannoli pie crust!
- unsweetened cocoa powder - many cannoli shell recipes call for a bit of cocoa powder, so I was hoping to recreate some of that flavor with the graham cracker crust of this cannoli pie!
- sugar - makes the crust nice and sweet
- salted butter - brings out all the flavors, and helps to bring the crust together.
For your ricotta filling, you'll need:
- full-fat ricotta cheese - it should be strained to eliminate some of the moisture -- there are a few ways to strain ricotta cheese, but my shortcut method is below! In short, I just wrap it in paper towels a few times to absorb any extra liquid.
- full-fat cream cheese - helps to give the filling a smooth, creamy texture, and since this is a no-bake recipe, the cream cheese helps it solidify a bit better as it chills.
- powdered sugar - it should be sifted, or better yet, measured out with a food scale (we're using 115g).
- chopped dark chocolate - you can use either semisweet or bittersweet chocolate. I used this bittersweet baking bar.
- orange zest - the hint of orange flavor is what takes this cannoli pie over the edge! It works so well with the dark chocolate and brightens up the ricotta filling.
- chopped roasted pistachios and powdered sugar - to top our pie, we're chopping up some pistachios, which are a traditional topping for cannoli. A dusting of powdered sugar also adds a great finishing touch.
Equipment
You can definitely make this in a pie pan, but I love to use a tart pan (making it a cannoli tart! I love making desserts in a tart pan! It gives the crust such a nice, neat fluted look, plus the removable bottom makes them so much easier to assemble, slice, and serve! But it works just as well in a glass or metal pie pan of your choice -- it's no-bake, so any pan you like should work!
Step by Step
This no-bake cannoli pie is so simple! You can have it assembled in just a few minutes and then the hardest part is waiting for it to set up in the fridge! It's perfect for warm days or any day when you don't want to turn on the oven.
- First, you'll make your graham cracker crust, combining the crust ingredients in a bowl and then pressing the mixture into your pie pan. It'll chill while you make your filling.
- Then, you'll beat your ricotta and cream cheese together, mix in your powdered sugar, and fold in your chocolate and orange zest. Spread all that in your chilled crust, and then chill the whole thing for a few hours!
- Before you serve your tart, sprinkle it with pistachios and dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy!!
Tips and F.A.Q.
No -- the filling should be creamy and fluffy. To achieve the best texture, it's important to eliminate as much moisture as possible from your ricotta. One method is to wrap it in cheesecloth and rest it in a colander inside another bowl. I like to just wrap it in a couple layers of paper towels, let it sit on a plate for about 10 minutes, and repeat with fresh towels a couple more times.
Easy! While you're mixing up your filling, just place your graham cracker crust in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This helps the butter in the crust to solidify and firms it up to be the perfect vessel for this cannoli pie! Then, once your pie is in the fridge chilling, the crust will solidify even further and it'll soon be ready to serve and delicious!
Because it needs time to set itself up in the fridge, this cannoli pie is perfect to be made the day before!
Your cannoli pie will last in the fridge for about two days, but you can also freeze it, well wrapped, for up to 2 months!
More Pie Recipes You'll Love
Equipment you may need
- 9-inch tart pan
- sifter
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup (126 g) graham cracker crumbs
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon (5 g) cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoon (112 g) salted butter - melted
- 15 oz (425 g) whole milk ricotta - strained*
- 4 oz (113 g) full-fat cream cheese - room temperature
- 1 cup (120 g) sifted powdered sugar - 115g
- 4 oz (113 g) finely chopped dark chocolate - semisweet or bittersweet
- 2 teaspoon (4 g) orange zest
- Chopped roasted pistachios and powdered sugar - for topping
Instructions
- Strain ricotta by wrapping in paper towels in a bowl for 30-40 minutes, changing paper towels every ten minutes.15 oz whole milk ricotta
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and sugar in a bowl. Add melted butter and mix well until everything is well saturated with butter and holds together when pressed.1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 8 tablespoon salted butter
- Press crumb mixture into bottom and sides of tart pan, being sure to press into the grooves. Place pan in freezer to chill crust while you make filling.
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add ricotta and mix until smooth and creamy. Mix in powdered sugar.15 oz whole milk ricotta, 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 4 oz full-fat cream cheese
- Gently fold in chocolate and orange zest until well combined.4 oz finely chopped dark chocolate, 2 teaspoon orange zest
- Spread filling into chilled crust and smooth top.
- Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with chopped pistachios and dust lightly with powdered sugar.Chopped roasted pistachios and powdered sugar
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Last Updated on September 23, 2021 by Chenée Lewis
Jazz
The cannoli flavor was perfect and we ate it all up in just a couple of days, which just means I need to make it again soon!
Chenée Lewis
Yay! So glad you liked it!!
Kaluhi
The flavor of the chocolate and that of the orange zest really went well together. I loved the texture of the pistachios against that of the creamy filling. Cant wait to make this again and again!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed!!
Lilly
I always enjoy trying your recipes! Your videos always make them so easy to make myself. This cannoli pie is delicious!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! I'm really glad the videos are helpful! I find that it makes the recipes a bit more approachable 🙂
Robin Sparks
The cream cheese and pistachios are what make this pie truly exceptional. I can't wait to make it again for my boyfriend!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! So glad you both enjoyed 🙂
Marta
As a die-hard New Yorker and someone who has traveled to Sicily often, I can say this cannoli tart is so close to the original that it surprised even me. I wasn't expecting a no-bake anything to be on par, so this exceeded my expectations.
Chenée Lewis
That's definitely high praise then! I'm so glad it measured up 🙂
LaRena Fry
Looks and sounds amazing! YUM!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you!! I love this recipe!
Carrington Shaw
Oh my goodness, I can't believe how good this looks!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
Rachel Krych
This looks delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Chenée Lewis
You're welcome! I hope you enjoy!